India Inducts Third Very Large Gas Carrier (VLGC) “Shivalik” to Boost Maritime Self-Reliance
SDG 7: Affordable & Clean Energy | SDG 9: Industry, Innovation & Infrastructure
Institutions: Ministry of Ports, Shipping & Waterways
India receives its third Very Large Gas Carrier (VLGC), “Shivalik,” under the Indian flag via Shipping Corporation of India (SCI), marking a milestone in maritime self-reliance. The 82,000 m³ vessel, named after the Himalayan range, was built abroad, loaded ~46,000 tonnes of LPG (propane + butane) in Ruwais, UAE, and docked at Visakhapatnam for IOCL discharge.
This induction is part of a broader plan: SCI and Oil PSUs will jointly commission 112 vessels over time, aiming to save $75 billion in forex by 2047 through reduced dependence on foreign shipping.
Complementary policy measures include extension of Shipbuilding Financial Assistance Scheme (SBFAS) until 2036, a ₹25,000 crore Maritime Development Fund, infrastructure status for large vessels, and tax incentives for shipbuilding inputs.
Anchoring key energy transport under Indian control enhances energy security and reduces vulnerability to external shipping supply shocks. Simultaneously, this push builds momentum in domestic shipbuilding, repair, and maritime cluster development, supporting jobs and industrial ecosystem growth.
Relevant Question for Policy Stakeholders:
How can India accelerate capacity in its shipbuilding and repair sector to sustainably absorb this vessel-induction trajectory and retain value domestically?
Follow the full news here: https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2175547